Pivoting pipette device

Abstract

A pipette holder for retaining a pipette at a plurality of angles relative to the holder includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion wherein the second housing portion supports the pipette. The pipette device also includes a pivot mechanism pivotally coupling the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

1 . A pipette holder for retaining a pipette at a plurality of angles relative to the holder, the pipette holder comprising:
 a first housing portion;   a second housing portion wherein the second housing portion supports the pipette; and   a pivot mechanism pivotally coupling the first housing portion and the second housing portion.   
   
   
       2 . The pipette holder of  claim 1 , and further comprising a holder axis that is generally horizontal during use, and wherein the pivot mechanism comprises:
 a pivot boss extending from the first housing portion and defining a pivot axis about which the second housing portion pivots, wherein the pivot axis orients generally transversely to the holder axis; and   a pivot sleeve extending from the second housing portion and receiving the pivot boss.   
   
   
       3 . The pipette holder of  claim 1  wherein the second housing portion is pivotable through a range of approximately 20°. 
   
   
       4 . The pipette holder of  claim 3  wherein the pivot mechanism provides more than two positions for the second housing portion. 
   
   
       5 . The pipette holder of  claim 1  wherein the pivot mechanism includes an indexing system to hold the second housing portion in a plurality of positions. 
   
   
       6 . The pipette holder of  claim 5  wherein the indexing system comprises:
 a post extending from the first housing portion; and   a plurality of indents formed on the second housing portion and opposed from the post, wherein each indent defines one of the plurality of positions,   wherein the post frictionally engages one of the plurality of indents.   
   
   
       7 . The pipette holder of  claim 1  wherein the first housing portion comprises a pair of opposed first sections and the second housing portion is disposed between the first sections. 
   
   
       8 . The pipette holder of  claim 7  wherein the pivot mechanism includes nesting cylinders pivotally coupling the second housing portion with the first sections and defining a generally horizontal pivot axis about which the second housing portion rotates. 
   
   
       9 . A pipette holder for retaining a pipette at a plurality of angles relative to the holder, the pipette holder comprising:
 a housing including a first portion and a second portion;   a nozzle assembly for accepting a pipette, the nozzle assembly coupled to the second portion of the housing; and   a pivot mechanism coupling the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing to permit the second portion to pivot relative to the first portion.   
   
   
       10 . The pipette holder of  claim 9  wherein the pivot mechanism comprises:
 a pivot boss extending from the first portion and defining a pivot axis about which the second portion pivots; and   a pivot sleeve extending from the second portion and receiving the pivot boss.   
   
   
       11 . The pipette holder of  claim 9  wherein the second portion is pivotable through a range of approximately 20°. 
   
   
       12 . The pipette holder of  claim 11  wherein the pivot mechanism provides more than two positions for the second portion. 
   
   
       13 . The pipette holder of  claim 9  wherein the pivot mechanism includes an indexing system to hold the second portion in a plurality of positions. 
   
   
       14 . The pipette holder of  claim 13  wherein the indexing system comprises:
 a post extending from the first portion; and   a plurality of indents formed on the second portion and opposed from the post, wherein each indent defines one of the plurality of positions,   wherein the post frictionally engages one of the plurality of indents.   
   
   
       15 . The pipette holder of  claim 14 , and further comprising a ridge separating each of the plurality of indents. 
   
   
       16 . A pipette holder for retaining a pipette at a plurality of angles relative to the holder, the pipette holder comprising:
 a housing including a first portion and a second portion pivotally coupled together;   a pipette retaining member located on the second portion of the housing; and   an indexing system on the housing for adjusting a pivot angle of the second portion relative to the first portion.   
   
   
       17 . The pipette holder of  claim 16  wherein housing comprises a pivot sleeve and a pivot boss rotatably retained. 
   
   
       18 . The pipette holder of  claim 17  wherein the indexing system comprises a first post extending from the first portion of the housing and an indexing surface located on the second portion of the housing, the indexing surface engageable with the first post. 
   
   
       19 . The pipette holder of  claim 18  wherein the indexing surface includes a plurality of indents, and each indent defines a possible receiving position for the first post. 
   
   
       20 . The pipette holder of  claim 19 , and further comprising a second post extending from the first portion of the housing, the second post engaging an indent different than the indent engaged by the first post. 
   
   
       21 . The pipette holder of  claim 20  wherein the first and second posts are positioned radially outward from the pivot boss. 
   
   
       22 . The pipette holder of  claim 18  wherein the indexing surface is arcuately shaped.